“Gay Marriage Already Won”

As the Supreme Court began hearings on two same-sex marriage cases – The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8 – TIME explored how public opinion on gay marriage – and gay culture in general – has shifted dramatically from the Stonewall era to the present: “According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 1 in 7 American adults say their initial opposition to same-sex marriage has turned to support…Yesterday’s impossible now looks like tomorrow’s inevitable.” Photographer Peter Hapak’s provocative portraits of gay men and women locking lips helped make the cover one of the most memorable ones in TIME history.